Giants-49ers rematch might be a classic

By the end of the Giants‘ 37-20 throttling of the Packers on Sunday in the NFC divisional playoffs, the 49ers‘ head coach was pulling for the team with more passion.

“If I ever do root in a game, it’s always for the team that’s playing harder,” Harbaugh said. “And it became evident that the Giants were playing harder and just executing better. And (they) played as a team.”

Thanks to New York’s win, the 49ers will skip a trip to Green Bay and host the Giants on Sunday at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco might have drawn quite a headache in addition to a home game.

After a 7-7 start, the Giants have reeled off four straight wins during which they’ve outscored opponents 121-50. They are a different team than the group that lost 27-20 in San Francisco on Nov. 13.

“For them to go into Green Bay, to go into Lambeau Field, that’s a task in itself,” wide receiver Kyle Williams said. “To do it the way they did it, they had to be playing very well.”

What difference has two months made for the Giants?

For starters, they’re healthier. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who missed four games (including the first game at Candlestick) with a foot injury, has averaged 59.3 yards during New York’s winning streak to enliven the NFL’s 32nd-ranked rushing attack. The Giants are averaging 122 rushing yards in their past four games after managing 86.1 in their first 14.

Linebacker Michael Boley is also coming off a nine-tackle, two-sack performance against Green Bay. Boley, who calls the Giants’ defensive signals and often covers tight ends, didn’t play in the second half against the 49ers because of a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the next two games.

With Boley sidelined, San Francisco tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker prospered. Davis had a 31-yard touchdown catch. Walker had four catches for 40 yards – more receptions and yards than he had in his 14 other games this season.

In addition to gaining some key players, the Giants have also gained confidence from their hot streak.

“We wouldn’t say we’re unstoppable, but our mind-set is extreme at this point,” safety Antrel Rolle told the New York media. “We’re not going to be denied.”

Said defensive end Justin Tuck: “This team is oozing confidence right now. We don’t really get rattled by anything.”

Of course, the same can be said for the Niners. In their 36-32 win against the Saints on Saturday, they became the first team in NFL playoff history to score two lead-changing touchdowns in the final three minutes of a game.

“I definitely think they’re playing their best football right now,” Williams said of the Giants. “And with us playing ours, I think it’s going to be a hell of a matchup.”